Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church History
established 1945
Greater Faith was organized on October 21, 1945 in the home of Deacon Dan Caldwell, by the late Dr. Austin E. Williams. There were six members on roll: Dr. A. E. Williams, Deacon Dan and Sister Caldwell (Mother Seward’s parents), Sister Florence Caldwell (17 years old), Sister Mattie Wilson, and Sister Ruth Barr. Greater Faith was named by its first pastor Dr. A.E. Williams. On October 28, 1951, a new building was constructed at our present location, 345 West Worth Street, under the pastorate of Dr. Williams.
In November 1959, Dr. M.L. Paskell was called to lead the flock. He served for 18 years, and Greater Faith grew spiritually and numerically. On April 4, 1975, Rev. Alfred Norris was called as Pastor. Under his leadership, Greater Faith continued to grow.
On February 1, 1982, Dr. Joseph L. Slade was called to the helm of leadership at Greater Faith. Under Pastor Slade’s leadership many changes helped foster Spiritual Growth and encouraged participation in the work of the ministry. In November 2004, Dr. Joseph L. Slade announced his retirement, serving his last day on February 28, 2005. On March 1, 2005, Rev. Willie Hall served as interim pastor for a short time.
After prayerfully coming together touching and agreeing, Rev. LaVell William Jones was voted in as Pastor of the Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church in March 2006 where he served until 2014.
In late 2014, Greater Faith Rev. Howard Witherspoon, was appointed Interim-Pastor and served along with the other associate ministers, Rev. Toney Lawson, Rev. Lydell King and Rev. Bennie Martin.
From August 2016 September 2016, the final chosen candidates were given the opportunity to preach for the congregation and on Sunday, September 26, 2016, the congregation voted to accept Rev. David Evans, Jr. as the 6th pastor to shepherd Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church. We have come quite far by faith. We feel honored and are grateful to those who, with the help of God, laid the foundation upon which we presently stand. Pastor Evans is leading us to the next level of this Christian journey. We can and will continue to thrive during the storms, and turmoil’s that this Christian journey may bring to us, as members of the Greater Faith Church Family, we will continue to work together as one body in Christ.
In November 1959, Dr. M.L. Paskell was called to lead the flock. He served for 18 years, and Greater Faith grew spiritually and numerically. On April 4, 1975, Rev. Alfred Norris was called as Pastor. Under his leadership, Greater Faith continued to grow.
On February 1, 1982, Dr. Joseph L. Slade was called to the helm of leadership at Greater Faith. Under Pastor Slade’s leadership many changes helped foster Spiritual Growth and encouraged participation in the work of the ministry. In November 2004, Dr. Joseph L. Slade announced his retirement, serving his last day on February 28, 2005. On March 1, 2005, Rev. Willie Hall served as interim pastor for a short time.
After prayerfully coming together touching and agreeing, Rev. LaVell William Jones was voted in as Pastor of the Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church in March 2006 where he served until 2014.
In late 2014, Greater Faith Rev. Howard Witherspoon, was appointed Interim-Pastor and served along with the other associate ministers, Rev. Toney Lawson, Rev. Lydell King and Rev. Bennie Martin.
From August 2016 September 2016, the final chosen candidates were given the opportunity to preach for the congregation and on Sunday, September 26, 2016, the congregation voted to accept Rev. David Evans, Jr. as the 6th pastor to shepherd Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church. We have come quite far by faith. We feel honored and are grateful to those who, with the help of God, laid the foundation upon which we presently stand. Pastor Evans is leading us to the next level of this Christian journey. We can and will continue to thrive during the storms, and turmoil’s that this Christian journey may bring to us, as members of the Greater Faith Church Family, we will continue to work together as one body in Christ.